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Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Vatican City, 8 December 2014 (VIS) –
Every year on this day in Gubbio, the Italian city where St. Francis
tamed the wolf, the tallest Christmas tree in the world is lit up.
Situated on the slopes of Mount Ingino, it is made up of dots of
light of different types: 250 green dots trace a silhouette more than
650 metres high, which contains more than 300 lights of various
colours. It is topped with a star of 1000 square metres, made up of
200 white lights. At dusk yesterday, 7 December, the Holy Father
illuminated the tree from the Vatican using a tablet, and he greeted
those in attendance in Gubbio.

“In switching on the light of the
Nativity scene, we wish for the light of Christ to be in us. A
Christmas without light is not Christmas. Let there be light in the
soul, in the heart; let there be forgiveness to others; let there be
no hostilities, which are dark. Let there be the beautiful light of
Jesus. This is my wish for all of you, when you turn on the light of
the crib.

“Many thanks for your gift, it is
beautiful. Also I give to you my warmest wishes, peace and happiness.

“If you have something dark in your
soul, ask the Lord for forgiveness. Christmas is a great opportunity
to cleanse the soul. Do not fear, the priest is merciful, forgiving
all in the name of God, because God forgives everything.

“May there be light in your hearts,
in your families, in your cities. And now, with this wish, let us
turn on the light.

“Blessed be God Almighty, the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit. Merry Christmas and pray for me”.